GREENFIELD, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fall colors are at their peak throughout Wisconsin right now. While that
means great opportunities for photographers, sightseers and other
outdoor enthusiasts, it has a different meaning for homeowners – back
pain due to leaf raking. Every fall, thousands of Wisconsinites hurt
their backs raking leaves, cleaning gutters and doing other seasonal
yard work. In fact, according to the Home Safety Council, 1 in 5 buyers
of rakes, ladders and other home products will need medical attention
this year. Fortunately, there are a number of steps homeowners can take
to help avoid these problems. Here are some tips, courtesy of
Wisconsin’s Advanced Pain Management clinics:

1. Warm up – Raking uses many muscles in your body – arms,
shoulders, and upper and lower back. Warming up with a few gentle
stretching exercises and a short walk around the block before you even
pick-up the rake could save you pain tomorrow.

2. Use proper tools – A rake that is the appropriate height and
weight will help reduce the need to hunch over while raking. Before
buying the proper equipment, test it out in the store to see how it
feels, and make sure it is the proper size for you and the type of work
that will be done.

3. Avoid twisting and hunching – To keep your back aligned, try
to stand as straight as is comfortable with your knees bent and your
feet hip-width apart. In addition, you should avoid twisting your upper
torso because it can aggravate the muscles in your back. Instead, turn
your whole body.

4. Vary your movements while raking – People tend to favor one
hand or side of their body when they’re raking. To avoid over-working
the same muscles, try switching sides every few minutes to avoid muscle
fatigue.

5. Pace yourself and know your limits – Ease into fall yard work
and take regular breaks every 15-20 minutes. Stop, walk around, stretch
and enjoy the beautiful fall colors. These frequent breaks will give you
time to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the fall weather.

6. Exercise year-round – People who exercise year round are less
likely to injure themselves while doing outdoor chores, as their muscles
are more accustomed to physical activity.